RIO DE JANEIRO, April 10 (UPI) -- A subsidiary of Sikorsky Aerospace Services will outfit helicopters used by the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations forces with a ballistic sub-armor system.
The Improved Ballistic Armor Sub System by LifePort Inc. was developed with the Air Force over a five-year period and will be integrated into Special Operations fleet of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk beginning this month.
"LifePort was selected based on our reputation for quality engineering, design and performance history," said Dwayne Starnes, LifePort's director of operations." We have the resources to produce qualified armored flight seat pallets based on strict USAF specifications, and we are the only company in the marketplace today able to provide this capability.
"By the end of September 2013, the U.S. Air Force's HH-60G fleet will be equipped with ballistic armor seat pallets that will greatly enhance crew safety."
The value of the contract and the quantity of ballistic armor pallets to be produced were not disclosed.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk is derived from Sikorsky Aircraft's UH-60 Black Hawk and is used primarily for the transport and recovery of special operations personnel.
Announcement of the contract was made at the LAAD Defense and Security International Exhibition in Brazil.
